Express & Star

Beauty call: Look what’s trending

Stuck in a beauty rut? Need some inspiration for a new look? Kirsten Rawlins checks out this season’s styles to covet. . .

Published
It's in the bag – beauty is making a statement

This autumn sees natural beauty and bold looks join forces, with statement lips and eyes being very much in the now; and 90s eyeliner and 60s lashes back in the spotlight. Fresh-faced appearances are also at the forefront of beauty, as well as the contrasting stark eye make-up and nail designs which are reminiscent of the 80s.

EYES

Achieve a stand-out edgy look this autumn, by taking the smoky eye to another level.

The simplest of this season’s new take on smoke-out eyes is the use of shimmers, taupes and greys to soften the colours, making it sultry but subtle.

Other make-up artists have, meanwhile, chosen to add a splash of colour to the dark eyes look. Make-up artists for Italian fashion designer Aberta Ferretti achieved this by adding a halo of red shadow at the centre of the already smoked-up eyes.

Another style set to make a comeback is the 90s heavy kohl-rimmed eye; as spotted at Alexander Wang’s show at Fashion Week. Flipping this trend on its head, however, were the artists working for French designer Alexis Mabelle, who kept the eyes mainly natural, but added a gold glitter frame just above the eyelid crease.

Other distinctive looks on the cards are bright rainbow colours and corals, as well as copper halos and block shades, and even thick, coloured liner beneath the eyes.

On the lashes front, make-up artists working for designers such as Jeremy Scott have displayed spiky, ‘spider’ or doll-like lashes. Italian fashion house Pucci pushed this look one step further at its autumn/winter show, with fluorescent, neon lashes.

If standing out isn’t for you, however, you’ll be glad to know the traditional kitten flick and red lip combo is once again in this season – as is the au natural look.

HAIR

Though gently tousled, wavy hair is rarely far from the catwalks, it was more prominent than ever in the autumn and winter shows of designers such as Fendi and Vivienne Westwood. Tumbling waves and corkscrew-style curls are all the rage this season.

Straight and sleek styles are also envogue – think pin straight hair and high shine. A straight, slick ponytail worn close to the head, or straight down the back; as seen on models wearing Carolina Herrera this season.

For those looking to create a casual, laid-back look, the low-slung knot bun is in fashion. As are the mini-bun twisted knots, which were sat atop models’ heads at Anna Sui’s show this season.

If you fancy standing out, however, bouffant hair made an appearance on this season’s Chanel’s catwalks.

Last season’s braids, micro plaits, fishtails and hair jewellery are also on-trend.

NAILS

Stand-out nail art is big news this autumn and winter, led by Gucci (among other top designers), which has released claw-like crystal-embellished nails.

Statement nails are also in and made an appearance on catwalks by House Of Holland, which featured checkerboard. Pressed flower designs were used by Preen at Thornton Bregazzi and logo manicures by Marc Jacobs.

LIPS

There are so many trends revolving around lips this season, that it’s more or less safe to say that anything goes.

From dark, gothic block colours, highlighting the cupid’s bow, to corals and deliberately-smudged lines – statement lips are one of this season’s top trends.

Stand-out lips paired with minimal make-up are a top trend – as shown by Dolce & Gabbana in this season’s show, among others.

Carolina Herrera, meanwhile, went all out this year with bold lips and smoky eyes.

Grey lipstick and metallic looks are also in vogue and ones to wear.